The hugely-popular Bolton Food & Drink Festival is finally returning next month after a year of postponement.
After COVID-19 restrictions sadly meant that the annual festival had to move online in 2020, the support of local businesses of all shapes and sizes is helping the North West’s biggest food and drink event to return in person for its 16th year this summer.
They’ll serve up some of the best food and drink the region has to offer.
World-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations, and a collection of outdoor bars, live music and street entertainment is set to create the usual festival atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival will return to the town centre this August Bank Holiday weekend!
🍔All your favourite food stalls 🎸Live music and entertainment 👨🍳 The North West’s best chefs
Over the course of the four-day festival – which is designed to be COVID-secure with a thorough risk assessment in place- families will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities.
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Visitors can also relax in the new picnic zone in the nearby Queens Park.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return next month, Cllr Hilary Fairclough – Cabinet Member with responsibility for markets at Bolton Council – said: “We are hugely grateful to all our sponsors whose backing will help make this year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival a memorable weekend for everyone [as] we want to bring more people back into Bolton and create a vibrant town centre.
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“Festivals like this are a key part of doing that.
“It’s great to have so many businesses back an event that will give a real boost to the local economy.”
This year’s supporters include supermarket retailer Aldi, the Bolton-founded nation’s favourite baker Warburtons, town centre destination the Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton’s beloved Carrs Pasties, and newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers FC.
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The North West’s biggest food and drink event is returning for its 16th year / Credit: Bolton Food FestWorld-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations at the popular four-day festival / Credit: Twitter (@BoltonFoodFest)
As well as a number of other COVID-safety restrictions that are set to be put in place, some changes to the usual programme have also been made in order to keep everyone safe, and all stalls and performance areas will be spaced out to help with social distancing.
Sadly, the popular ticketed celebrity chef events in the main marquee will not take place in the way visitors will remember from previous years – but they are to return in 2022.
Bolton Food & Drink Festival 2021 will take place on Friday 27 – Monday 30 August.
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StreamGM and The Manc have teamed up show some some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction
Daisy Jackson
Ian Wright has publicly raved about a Greater Manchester takeaway, saying it’s the ‘only reason’ he comes to the city.
The TV personality and football great took to Instagram yesterday to share his short but sweet review of Jerk Junction.
It’s a beloved takeaway and restaurant that has a few sites across Greater Manchester and tonnes of loyal followers – including more than a few famous faces.
And now Ian Wright has joined the legions of fans celebrating Jerk Junction, a Caribbean spot famed for its jerk chicken and curried meats.
On his Instagram page yesterday, Wrighty shared a video of himself tucking into a huge helping of curry and rice, with fried dumplings on the side.
In it, he gives the camera a big thumbs up before saying: “It’s the only reason I come to Manchester really.”
Jerk Junction has also shared a photo of them delivering the food to Ian, writing: “Special delivery to everyones favourite Uncle, The Legend himself Mr @wrightyofficial.”
Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficialIan Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction
Ian Wright has then replied: “Too much food! But it was amazing!! Thank you so much.”
The takeaway’s menu is filled with dishes like Jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas, and prepared with traditional spices and ingredients.
Family-run tapas restaurant shames customers who stole decorations
Daisy Jackson
A family-run restaurant in Whitefield has publicly shamed a couple who stole new decorations from them.
Campo Blanco, a popular tapas joint in the Bury suburb, threatened to call ‘Santa’ over the petty theft.
Owned and operated by high school sweethearts Aaron and Faye Cummins, the charming local spot opened back in 2018 and has been a firm favourite in Whitefield ever since.
But it’s not just their tapas menu that’s caught the attention of locals – now apparently it’s their new table decorations.
Campo Blanco has shared CCTV footage of a couple who dined there recently pocketing lamps off their table.
The customer in question quietly reaches across her dinner, picks up the pretty gold lamp, turns it off, and shoves it into her coat pocket.
The restaurant shared the video online and pleaded for them to return the lamps by Christmas Eve.
They then said they’d be telling Santa – ‘and by Santa, we mean the police’.
Campo Blanco wrote: “We love our new table lights too. We actually can’t get them anymore as they’ve stopped making them so please bring them back. Also, they aren’t yours!
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2021 
